Lighter Lamb Kofta Curry Recipes

FRAGRANT LAMB KOFTA CURRY

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onion for 8 mins until soft but not golden. Remove to a bowl and set aside to cool. Tip the lamb mince and half the spice blend into a medium bowl with 1/2 tsp each salt and black pepper and the cooled onions. Knead with your hands to combine evenly, then form into 16 equal meatballs. Return the pan to a medium heat and brown the meatballs all over. Remove to a plate using a slotted spoon.
• To make the sauce, fry the onion in the pan for 5 mins until beginning to soften, then add the ginger, garlic, chopped chilli (if using) and coriander stalks, and cook for a further 3 mins. Scatter in the remaining spice blend and cook for 1 min, then tip in the tomatoes, tomato purée, stock and three- quarters of the coconut cream. Stir to combine, bring to a simmer and cook for 15 mins until the sauce has reduced by a quarter.
• Return the meatballs to the pan and cook for a further 15 mins, basting the meatballs in the sauce every few minutes until the sauce has reduced by a further quarter, and the meatballs are cooked through. Drizzle over the remaining coconut cream, then scatter over the coriander leaves and sliced chilli and serve with cooked basmati rice.

LIGHTER LAMB KOFTA CURRY

Steps:

• Line a baking tray with a sheet of baking parchment. Tip two-thirds of the lentils into a medium bowl and mash them (the mashed lentils will help bind, the whole ones will add texture). Mix in the whole lentils, lamb, the spices, onion, garlic, ginger, coriander, a good grind of black pepper and a pinch of salt, taking care not to overwork the mixture.
• Using slightly damp hands, shape into 18-20 x 4cm meatballs. Lay the meatballs on the prepared tray, cover with cling film and chill while you prepare the sauce. Can be chilled overnight to develop extra flavour, if you like.
• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. To make the sauce, heat the oil in a non-stick frying or sauté pan, and fry the onion and cumin seeds over a medium heat for 6-8 mins until the onion is softened, stirring occasionally. Raise the heat slightly to start to brown the onion and stir in the garlic, ginger, ground coriander, turmeric, chilli powder and curry leaves, stir-frying for a few mins. As the onion browns, stir in the cinnamon stick, green chilli, tomatoes and purée, briefly stirring to soften the tomatoes. Pour in 100ml of the coconut milk, scraping the bottom of the pan to gather up any brown sticky bits, and let it bubble briefly and thicken. Pour in 250ml water, bring to the boil, then lower the heat, cover and gently simmer for 15-20 mins to thicken very slightly - but keep checking so it doesn't reduce too much (add a splash of water if needed). Season with pepper.
• While the sauce simmers, uncover the meatballs and cook in the oven for 20 mins until cooked through and starting to brown on top - there is no need to turn them. Remove and pat down with kitchen paper to drain off any excess fat. Cook the rice following pack instructions.
• Stir the remaining coconut milk into the sauce over a low heat, then add the chopped coriander. Sit the meatballs in the sauce and cook for 5 mins on a very gentle simmer to warm through and blend the flavours, then remove the cinnamon stick.
• Meanwhile, cook the beans in a little boiling water for 4 mins, tipping in the peas for the final min. Drain and mix with the cooked rice and a grinding of black pepper. Tip the meatballs into a serving dish or divide between bowls, sprinkle over a little garam masala and the coriander, and serve with the veggie rice.

VEGETARIAN KOFTA CURRY

Steps:

• Put the garlic, ginger and green chiles in a food processor, and pulse until you have a coarse paste. Put half the paste into a large bowl. Set the rest aside.
• Add the beans, spring onions, fresh herbs, bread crumbs, egg, garam masala, chile powder and salt to the large bowl with the paste. Mix well with a fork, mashing up the beans as you go into small pieces.
• Heat the oven to 400 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and arrange on the pan. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil, and bake until lightly browned, about 25 minutes. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a large skillet over medium. Sauté the onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining garlic, ginger and chile paste, and sauté until light golden brown, about 10 minutes. If using fresh tomatoes, purée them until smooth in the food processor. Stir the tomato purée or crushed tomatoes, coriander and cumin into the skillet, and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the kofta to the skillet, and turn the heat to low. If necessary, add enough water for the liquid to come about two-thirds of the way up the sides of the meatballs, then simmer another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the kofta are warmed through and the sauce has thickened. Season with salt and pepper, and garnish with a light dust of garam masala and some extra herbs.